Puppy Update

With the ADS lab adoption event coming up tomorrow (Saturday, June 12th 10am-1pm), I wanted to offer potential adoptive families additional insight in to Cracker Jack (aka CJ).

Right off the bat, I can tell you that CJ LOVES to hang around you in a desire to get you to play with him. For the last 2 3 4 5 hours... literally... I have been pushing him away from me while I'm trying to work. But CJ doesn't give up easily when he wants to play or wants to sit in your lap. Whenever I move, he moves. So to put it mildly, this dog LOVES attention and will eventually wag his tail and bark at you to get your attention to play with him. The one thing about CJ, is that you'll never lose sight of him. Since he is always determined to be in whatever room you are, or at least be a in place where he can keep his eye on you at all times.

I've written about his antics before, and they are still ongoing. He is definitely an energetic and enthusiastic dog. Other than his desire for play and attention, he is still a great and well behaved puppy at 5-1/2 months old.

He listens pretty well for  puppy and has great potential for learning earning more. In less than 2 weeks he was completely house and crate trained - without once accident since. He is also fast becoming a great dog a on leash. He will mostly always walk next to you (not in front or behind you) with plenty of lag in the leash. That is unless he sees somebody who wants to give him some attention... then you have hold him back, or make him sit. If he is has eyes set on something like a dog, squirrel, bird or anything else... you just have to make him sit. And he'll sit there calmly without trying to run.


As for adoptive families, the more people in the household, the happier he would be. And while I don't know how he would respond with toddler or babies, I'd be a little hesitant because of his size and playful nature. If you are single or dual parent family, another playful dog in the house would be great for CJ. He'd definitely enjoy the company of a playmate and companion. Of all the dogs he's met and played with, he's gotten along with gotten along with every one of them... except a few smaller dogs didn't like him.

One point I can't stress enough - is that I've had a few pure bred Labradors... and of all of them, CJ is the best looking. His colors, markings, disposition, character and ability to learn so quickly is great. With a little patience and training, he has a lot of potential to become the type of dog you want.

One thing I really like about CJ, is that he doesn't bark. He really only barks when he wants to play with you. Even when somebody knocks at the door, he's stand up and stare, but he won't bark. For me this is a great quality in a dog, especially if you live in a townhouse, or in a close vicinity to neighbors.

While CJ would appear to be a big puppy at 49 pounds for 5-1/2 months, I don't think he is going to be huge dog in size for a lab. His body just seems to have grown a lot faster than brain and age. But CJ is great physical shape. He's not over or under weight. And with proper care, diet and exercise he'll probably remain in good shape. He has also been fully vetted and received ALL necessary shots, vaccinations, checkups, treatments, preventative care, neutering and has also been micro-chipped. He's like getting a new car right off the dealership lot.

Whichever lucky family adopts him, will surely have a great dog to be part of their family.